It is strictly non-profit, not connected to any government in any way, and all volunteer based. It has been developed by a group of American volunteer expats in Indonesia with the goals of keeping Americans in Indonesia:

• Informed about laws, regulations and insider information that impact American expats in Indonesia — originating either in the US or Indonesia

Sent just a few times/year & we promise to keep you informed on
VOTING & OTHER IMPORTANT-TO-YOU MATTERSand nothing else

NEW! TIME TO VOTE FROM HERE COMING SOON!

Have you requested your ballot so you can vote from here this November? If not, NOW is the time to do it -- many states have deadlines soon in order to properly register and request your ballot for the ultra-important 2016 Senate and Congressional elections (as well as other Governor and local elections). Primary elections will be starting soon.

Note that if you hare properly registered, you should receive your ballot from your state official (by email) -- they are required to send those out 45 days prior to the election date. It's all now very simple to take this step:

Simply go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org (VFA) and answer the questions. The site will generate all the forms you need and give you complete instructions.

When you receive your ballot, fill it out and return as requested by your state. Complete instructions will be included.

Pat yourself on the back for taking a crucial step in our democratic process.

We make voting from here simple as 1-2-3! See this Jakarta Post article about us from Thursday, Sept 6, 2012. We take the uncertainty out of the process for you -- ensure you get your ballot and vote now -- your vote is IMPORTANTclick here!

Making the Vote Count

With an estimated 3 to 6 million US expats dotted around the globe and a knife edge swing between candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in the November US presidential elections, pundits are suggesting the US expat vote could tip the scale in the greatest (political) race on earth.

Some US expats in Bali are taking this possibility seriously and working to ensure every potential absentee vote from both sides of the political divide is registered and counted ... read the rest of this article

Have you requested your ballot so you can vote from here this November? If not, NOW is the time to do it -- register soon in order to vote in the general election in November, and request your ballot for the ultra-important 2016 Presidential, Senate, and Congressional elections (as well as other Governor and local elections).

Note that if you hare properly registered, you should receive your ballot from your state official (by email)-- they are required to send those out 45 days prior to the election date. It's all now very simple to take this step:

Simply go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org (VFA) and answer the questions. The site will generate all the forms you need and give you complete instructions.

When you receive your ballot, fill it out and return as requested by your state. Complete instructions will be included.

Pat yourself on the back for taking a crucial step in our democratic process.

[Below is a summary of how the ACA (Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare) affects those of us living abroad (emphasis added by me). Our thanks go out to Democrats Abroad for preparing this. Note that if you are inside the US more than parts of about 35 days/year, you MIGHT be subject to the penalty -- which can be substantial -- if you don't have this insurance. Note that the ACA insurance plans only pay for medical services in the US, just like Medicare. We highly recommend that all of you to have medical insurance that covers you here. Dave, 2014/03/17]

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GET READY TO VOTE FROM HERE NOW!

Have you requested your ballot so you can vote from here this November? If not, NOW is the time to do it -- register soon in order to vote in the November general election and request your ballot for the ultra-important 2016 Presidential, Senate, and Congressional elections (as well as other Governor and local elections).

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS EXPLAINED

At the Consular Town Hall meeting June 17, 2016 in Sanur, Bali, the Manila Social Security office head, Darrin Morgan, gave a presentation to 75 Americans on Social Security benefits. Some of hte major points covered included:

get info from the ssa.gov website about all aspects of Social Security. It should be your first stop.

if you need to contact them, contact the Manila office by email at FBU.Manila@ssa.gov. Don't try to call/go there otherwise.

If receiving benefits and don't use your foreign address, and you're out of the US more than 90 days/year, they will suspend your benefits for at least 8 months if they find out. So use your foreign address

TAXING MATTERS

How does Obamacare affect us living abroad? We have a summary of the major impact it has on you. And do note that ignoring this law can result in some severe penalties -- but many of us are not subject to these. Read this brief article to see how it affects you!

Those dreaded FATCA/FBAR tax rules are changing for the better. Four prominent organizations of Americans living abroad have been meeting with IRS and Congressional representatives to find a sensible course for the majority of us living overseas. Read this report on progress from Democrats Abroad.

American Income Tax Info for US Expats Want to learn something about how to deal with US income tax matters? Need help with filing? Have questions? read this article >

New IRS Rules Affecting Us With severe penalties coming up, you must now report any foreign accounts with a sum total value of $10,000 or more, and higher amounts are subject to lots more restrictions. click for more >

US CONSULAR MESSAGES

We send out latest important Consular messages to our email list. Sign up here.

US IMMIGRATION RULES CHANGING

TIME TO VOTE FROM HERE NOW!

Have you requested your ballot so you can vote from here this November? If not, NOW is the time to do it -- register soon in order to vote in the primary races and request your ballot for the ultra-important 2016 Presidential, Senate, and Congressional elections (as well as other Governor and local elections).